Advance post-referendum issues, media advised
By Julius N. Uma
July 12, 2010 (JUBA) – The need to advance post-referendum issues in a fair, balanced and objective manner should be at the forefront of every media practitioners’ agenda, a top government official has advised.
“Promotion of media freedom was one of the main agenda of the liberation [Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement] struggle. As such, we encourage journalists to practice fair, accurate, objective and impartially balanced reports that enlighten the masses,” Dr. Marial said.
Media practitioners will, during the two days, debate on how best the media can inform Sudanese rural communities on the forthcoming referenda as well as set agreed parameters to be followed during the coverage of the 2011 national event.
During the elections, however, certain sections of the media faced constant criticisms for playing partial roles by siding with certain political parties and candidates, contrary to regulations by the National Election Commission (NEC).
In late April, Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based rights body accused the state-owned media in north and south of giving exclusive coverage to the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), respectively.
The practice, noted HRW, contributed to “flawed elections that underscored the need for justice,” since other opposition and independent candidates were denied the forum to address their manifestos.
But the Information and Broadcasting Minister maintains that Sudan’s general elections were probably one of the most credible in the history of post-conflict countries.
“The government should be credited for having organized one of the most difficult elections ever. Can you imagine a situation where someone has to vote 12 times and such an election ends peacefully? Let’s be fair enough,” Dr. Marial said amidst applause.
Organized by UNMIS Public Information Office (PIO) in collaboration with the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), the two-day event further analyzed media coverage of the April elections; what went wrong and how best such situations can be improved.
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Majang
Advance post-referendum issues, media advised
Dr marial is the only keyfigure who plays a very positive role in our Goverment.
co-opparation with Media will help us with ful support.the more we conect with media,the more the Reprandom will be healthy for us.
DASODIKO
Advance post-referendum issues, media advised
The very sad fact is that some of these offecials like the media only when media praises them, but the opposite, they don’t want it. Such must be educated to know the both sides of the media. Without criticism there will be no progress Dr. Benjamin is one of the intellectuals who knows the two sides of the coin.